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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What opinion does Jakob offer on the issue about which Naomi and Ben are fighting?

2. What does Ben find tucked into the roof of where he is staying?

3. What helps Ben understand his nightmares?

4. With what does Ben write his parents are obsessed?

5. For what does Jakob yearn?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ben find Jakob's study?

2. How does Jakob relate a theory by Einstein to the Holocaust?

3. What theme does Ben incorporate into his thesis?

4. How does Ben's relationship with Petra evolve?

5. What is the significance of the color yellow?

6. What does Jakob think about concerning a child?

7. What are some facets to Naomi?

8. What is Jakob's work in Greece?

9. What does Ben recall about his father and mother when Ben is growing up?

10. How does Ben compare Petra's skin and lightning imprints?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Sometimes a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way around. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Fugitive Pieces" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Fugitive Pieces". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Michaels chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Michaels chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Michaels's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Michaels use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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